I am presently driving one of these whilst the trusty vRS is in the bodyshop following a minor disagreement with an OAP (inside another car).

I must say I am quite bowled over .........................................

by just how POOR it really is

I know its a budget car and being a courtesy model it is the lowest of the low in the range and barely has an engine, but in terms of how it feels and drives :nono: it just feels really, really cheap and I have no confidence in it'a bility to save me from certain death in any sort of impact :thumbdwn:

All that said and done it has a bloddy good heater

Are they going to make the Fabia any faster while its in for work ?

Are they going to make the Fabia any faster while its in for work ?

Indeed they are

A new rear bumper and paint is good for at least another 50-60 bhp and with a good wash as well :eek: ............... who knows??

Got to disgree... SWMBO used to have a Yaris 1 litre...well made and excellent space....nippy for town driving.

Low speed ride could be crashy..over firm damping....but happy enough a 80mph on the motorways.

If you take it in the context it was made for...then it's not a bad car...IMHO. Comparing to something else like a Fabia vRS then it's never going to shine.

Got to disgree... SWMBO used to have a Yaris 1 litre...well made and excellent space....nippy for town driving.

Low speed ride could be crash..over firm damping....but happy enough a 80mph on the motorways.

If you take it in the context it was made for...then it's not a bad car...IMHO. Comparing to something else like a Fabia vRS then it's never going to shine.

Fair point. However, my earlier post was merely a statement of my views on it's construction and build quality, it was not intended to be a direct comparison with the vRS nor a jouranlistic masterpiece of a review either,

I trust your SWMBO enjoyed her time with the Yaris and I agree, that for the right person an ample car for town driving.

I trust your SWMBO enjoyed her time with the Yaris and I agree' date=' that for the right person an ample car for town driving.[/quote']

SWMBO really loved that car...but another baby meant we had increased space requirements.

When my Octy is in for service I get all sorts of Fabias for a courtsey car.....favourite is the 1.2 12v HTP.....of course it doesn't handle, steer, brake or perform anywhere near mine...not even in your widlest dreams.....but it does have a certain charm from that 3 pot engine. Build quality is also very good.

SWMBO is getting a Kia Picanto 1.1LX, 05 pre-reg one, and it's a good car for the money, build is decent enough, disc brakes, ABS, EBD, and generally not bad. Not a racer by any means but for what she's gonna use it for it's excellent value.

The 1.4 MPI didnt impress me much in the Fabia, I really must try to blag a drive in a 1.2 12V at some point, apparently it's much nicer Build quality of the Fabia is good but very plain, for sure.

The 1.4 MPI didnt impress me much in the Fabia' date=' I really must try to blag a drive in a 1.2 12V at some point, apparently it's much nicer Build quality of the Fabia is good but very plain, for sure.[/quote']

I've tried the 1.4 16v and found it's low down response not as good as I expected but it did go better higher up....16v tech for ya.

HTP got up to spped quicker than I thought....was going a lot faster than it felt. 3-pot sounds is quite endearing as well.

Agree....interior well built but plain although I imagine it would probably look a lot worse in a light colour..black was fine in a coal mine kind of way.

I can vouch for its build and sturdiness after a Ford Ranger pick up (ie twice the size) crunched into the back of my wife's one in a motorway shunt. Ok so the car is 'no more' but it did a grand job of absorbing the impact within a small space and also maintained cabin integrity. So we were very happy!

Whats that little elephant car called?

The one that comes on a big ship from somwhere...

Anywayit looks funky and I found myself looking at one in a service station, well the driver was kind of cute

Anyhow; ooh flashback I was wondering...supercharge it would be a lot of fun commuting...I'd not like to hit anything bigger than a snail mind...

My friend has a T-sport model and its an absolute flyer for the engine 1.5vvti, Build quality is quite good as with all japs, plain but high enough quality, its not a patch on any german car in terms of build but a far cry from the likes of daewoos etc, good all round car for the money but IMO the fabias in a different league anyway